Retuning to Original for the 1st Time in 4 Weeks, “Modern Family” Stands

As Wednesday’s No. 1 TV Show in Adults 18-49 with Best-Since-Debut Results

“Cougar Town” Generates its Strongest Numbers Since Mid-October

In its 10pm Premiere, “Ugly Betty” Marks Season Highs and Produces

ABC’s Best Numbers with Regular Programming in the Hour in 10 Weeks

Wednesday Night (8:00-11:00 p.m.)

Opposite stiff competition from CBS’ special lineup (“I Get That a Lot”/”People’s Choice Awards”), ABC took second place on Wednesday night among Adults 18-49, while ranking No. 1 with its 2-hour comedy block from 8:00-10:00 p.m. (3.1/8-tie).On its first original airing in 4 weeks, ABC’s “Modern Family” emerged as Wednesday’s No. 1 TV showin the key young adult sales demo.

Despite the heightened year-to-year competition from the “People’s Choice Awards,” ABC was up over the year-ago night against the awards show by 13% (2.6/7 vs. 2.3/6 on 1/7/09).

“The Middle” (8:00-9:00 p.m.)

On its first original telecasts in a month, opposite CBS’ 1-hour special “I Get That a Lot,” back-to-back episodes of ABC freshman comedy “The Middle” finished as the Top 2 regular programs in the hour among Adults 18-49, beating NBC’s original Mercy by 41% on average in the key young adult sales demo (2.4/7 vs. 1.7/5).

In its regular 8:30 p.m. slot, “The Middle” tallied series-high numbers with Adults 18-49, Adults 25-54, Men 18-49 and all key Women demos (W18-34/W18-49/W25-54). The comedy also generated its biggest overall audience (8.2 million) since its series debut telecast – since 9/30/09.

“Modern Family” (9:00-9:30 p.m.)

The No. 1 TV show of the night in Adults 18-49, ABC’s Modern Family won the 9:00 p.m. half-hour by 28% over its nearest competition (4.1/11 vs. 3.2/8 – CBS’ “People’s Choice Awards”).

In Total Viewers (10.2 million) and Adults 18-49 (4.1/11), “Modern Family” achieved best-since-debut results. The show hit series-high ratings with key Men (M18-49/M25-54).

“Cougar Town” (9:30-10:00 p.m.)

At 9:30 p.m., ABC’s “Cougar Town” finished in a near tie for first place among Adults 18-49 (3.3/8), while winning its half-hour across each of the Men demos (M18-34/M18-49/M25-54). In fact “Cougar Town” finished as the No. 2 TV show of the night in all key Men, behind only “Modern Family.”